Minnesota Timberwolves center Gorgui Dieng, left, shoots as Los Angeles Clippers guard Tyrone Wallace defends during the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game Wednesday in Los Angeles. Wallace said the NBA’s new rules, including the clear path foul rule, will take getting used to. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The NBA’s new rules of the road, effective starting this preseason, reset the shot clock to 14 seconds (from 24) in offensive rebounding situations and simplify the definition of the clear path foul rule. But it’s officials’ emphasis on already established rules permitting freedom of movement on the perimeter and in the post that could affect play the most.

“You can’t really hold, they put the emphasis on calling that in the preseason, too,” said Clippers guard Tyrone Wallace, who was whistled for four fouls in 17 minutes in Wednesday’s 128-101 exhibition victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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“So you’re trying to train yourself to not do some of the things that we’re used to doing,” Wallace added. “It’s hard when you want to play physical, you want to blow up screens, you want to not let your guy run free. But, again, that’s the emphasis, so we’ve got to learn to guard without holding and using our hands as much.”

Clippers coach Doc Rivers said everyone will get used to the modifications, which also include an expanded definition of a “hostile act” for the purpose of triggering instant replay review.

“I think we’ll find the right amount to call, and the right way to call it,” Rivers said. “You know how the league adjusts, the players adjust. Overall, there was just too much grabbing and holding last year. The rule did not change; we’re just going to call it now. There’s just putting a point of emphasis because the players are always ahead of the league, the players always figure out what they can do and get away with and then the league has to adjust.

“I like the freedom of movement,” he surmised, joking, “now that I’m no longer playing.”

RESERVE JUDGMENT

Rivers sat a trio of veterans on Wednesday as he set out to evaluate the younger players who are hoping to find and fill roles with the team.

His immediate review was pretty positive

“They all were really good,” said Rivers, complimenting Wallace’s ability to get into the paint and Jerome Robinson’s play-making – though the coach said he’d prefer the rookie guard not pass up opportunities to shoot.

“He passed up five shots he has to take,” Rivers said. “And he’ll make those shots, but he’s so unselfish. In college, you typically don’t take the first open shot, they want you to move the ball, but we’re trying to convince him that your first open shot might be your last open shot in the NBA – so if you get one, take one.”

Robinson said he got the message.

“I feel like I only have to hear that one time, then I kind of get over that,” said the former Boston College standout, who scored seven points on 2-of-7 shooting Wednesday. “Once you hear that from your head coach, it’s good.”

Rivers also commended second-year guard Sindarius Thornwell for playing true to himself.

“I tell you, he’s doing all the little things,” Rivers said. “I think he’s figured out who he is and what he’s gonna be.”

“I just go out and play,” said Thornwell, who had six points, five rebounds and three assists in 15 dogged minutes. “I’m a guy who just kind of gets in the mix, gets involved by doing the small things, rebounding, deflections, getting assists, setting other guys up. That type of stuff that doesn’t get counted, but that type of stuff that helps you win games.”

SURVEY SAYS

General managers weighed in on everything from their favorite to win the 2019 NBA championship (the Golden State Warriors were the runaway pick, with 87 percent of the vote) to which rookie they consider the draft’s “biggest steal” (the Clippers’ Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was selected 11th and listed first in the category, with 27 percent of the response).

In the 17th annual NBA.com survey, released this week, GMs responded to questions about the best teams, players, coaches and offseason moves. They were not permitted to vote for their own team or personnel.

The Clippers also were recognized in six other categories, including “What bench player makes the biggest impact when he enters the game?” That would be Lou Williams, last year’s Sixth Man of the Year awardee, who drew 41 percent of the vote.

Mirjam Swanson covers the Clippers and the NBA for the Southern California News Group. Previously, she wrote about LeBron James and the rest of the Dream Team at the 2004 Olympics (where, yes, they took bronze) and Tiger Woods’ last (for now) major championship. Most recently, she’s covered city government, education and the occasional bear in a backyard.